The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System opened to commercial traffic in 1970 and helps transport goods up the 420-foot rise in elevation between the Mississippi River and Catoosa, Okla. (Tre Baker)

Many mayors of Arkansas cities would like to see the Arkansas River's shipping channel deepened from 9 feet to 12 feet to facilitate more efficient barge traffic. Deeper water means heavier barges, and that means lower shipping costs, which means cheaper products for the rest of us.